[referee07]

I recently bought a new computer and I would like to import my personal folders from Outlook in my desktop computer to Outlook in my laptop computer. I was able to import the Address Book by using the import/export function of Outlook. However, when I tried to import my personal folders the only thing that was imported was my Inbox. Thank you in advance for all suggestions.

[EAFiedler]

Hi referee07

What version(s) of Outlook are you using, upgrading?

There is no need to Import. Copy the .pst file to a directory and have Outlook open the .pst file. Verify the Read-only attribute is not enabled.

In Outlook:
File > Open > Outlook Data File
Browse to the location of the .pst file and select it.
The Personal Folders should then appear in Outlook.


Let us know if that works for you or not.

[referee07]

EAFiedler, thanks for the reply. I did try using the import-export and only got 4 personal folders out of maybe 30. How do I copy the .pst file to a directory and can I use a thumb-drive for this? Thanks again for the reply.

[EAFiedler]

If the .pst file will fit on a thumb drive, that should work.

What versions of Outlook are you using?

[referee07]

I am using Outlook 2007. How do I copy the file? Thanks again.

[EAFiedler]

Just to clarify, the previous Outlook is 2007, as well?


Open Outlook:
Right click on the top/Root folder, default name is Personal Folders
Properties of "Personal Folders" > Advanced...button
In the Filename: field is the location of the .pst file.
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to that directory. Copy the .pst and transfer it to the receiving computer.

Two fields below the Filename field, should be a Format field. What format does it say?

• Personal Folders File
  or
• Personal Folders File (97-2002)

Alternately, you can do a Search for .pst files. (Recommended)
You may or may not find an archive.pst file, if you do a Search, you may want to save that, as well.


Again, what version of Outlook is the .pst coming from?

[referee07]

EAFeidler, Outlook in both my desktop and laptop is: Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 (12.0.6316.5000) SP 1 MSO (12.0.6213.1000) Part of Microsoft Office Standard 2007.

The format is: Personal Folders File.

I went to Windows Explorer and found the right file and tried to import it but got the message something to the effect of "This Personal Folders File (.pst) is currently in use in the current profile."

[EAFiedler]

Don't Import, banish that word.

Copy the .pst file to the receiving computer and Open it with Outlook.

In Outlook 2007:
File > Open > Outlook Data File
Browse to the location of the .pst file and select it.
It should then appear in Outlook.



Glad to hear Outlook is the same on both computers.

[EAFiedler]

Just checking in.

Was this successful?

[JohnWill]

Opening as requested.

[JohnWill]

FWIW, I did this very task for a customer yesterday. I exported the data from Outlook 2002 to a PST file and imported it into a new system's Outlook 2007, all worked as it should.

I did not "open" it with Outlook 2007, I did indeed use the import function.

[referee07]

JohnWill, thanks for reopening this thread. I'm still trying to figure out how to import personal folders from Outlook 2007, on my desktop computer to my laptop computer which also has Outlook 2007. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe be Outlook on my laptop is somehow corrupted? Would it be possible for you to give me very simple directions? I remember doing this before with other computers but for some reason I'm having a difficult time now. Any no help will be appreciated once again thanks for opening this thread.

[referee07]

JohnWill, in the post above I meant, "Any help will be appreaciated...." I dictated this using Dragon Naturally Speaking which threw the "no" in there.

[EAFiedler]

Hi referee07

Can you outline the steps you are taking to import the .pst file?


What happens when you copy the .pst file to the hard drive of the receiving computer and attempt to open the .pst file using the following steps?

In Outlook 2007:
File > Open > Outlook Data File
Browse to the location of the .pst file and select it.
It should then appear in Outlook.

[referee07]

EAFielder, thanks again for responding. I just tried it again to make sure: nothing happens. My personal folders do not show up in Outlook 2007, on my laptop. I don't know if this has any bearing on this issue, but on both computers I have 2 personal folders with two in boxes, two delete boxes, etc. Is this right? The "lower" personal folder does not have all of the personal folders that the "upper" one has. I would think that Outlook should have only one personal folders!!